Huskers Start Preparations for FAU

Lincoln, Neb.-The Nebraska football team continued its third week of 2014 Fall Camp Thursday afternoon, as the Huskers practiced for just over an hour inside of the Hawks Championship Center and outside at the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields.

Nebraska defensive coordinator John Papuchis spoke with media following practice, noting that the Huskers began working in their base defense preparations for the season opener versus Florida Atlantic.

“We got a good core of our base in, today was a big day for that,” Papuchis said. “We still have a lot of work to do—we just started today, but in terms of the ‘base’ defense we got a lot of it in today.”

Papuchis also mentioned that juniors Daniel Davie and Jonathan Rose are still battling for one of the cornerback positions opposite of senior Josh Mitchell. Papuchis said that fans will see a good combination of all three during the season opener.

“Right now (Daniel) Davie and (Jonathan) Rose have been taking equal reps, Josh Mitchell has established himself as the starter on one side,” Papuchis said. “We are going to play both of the guys, so who lines up first I am not sure of yet but we are going to give both of them an opportunity to play.”

Sophomore defensive tackle Kevin Maurice has been impressing Papuchis and the rest of the NU coaching staff at practice so far. Maurice, a, Orlando, Fla., native will likely be the third or fourth d-tackle used throughout the season for the Blackshirts.

“We feel good about Kevin Maurice, he has had a good camp,” Papuchis said.

When asked what Maurice had to improve on from his freshman season, Papuchis said ‘everything,’ but said that Maurice was similar to a lot of other true freshmen lineman.

“Really it is hard to answer because I would say everything, from a technique standpoint getting off blocks and initial foot work and hand placement,” Papuchis said. “That is the case for almost every true freshman that comes in, he has the tools, he just needed to refine his technique.”

The Huskers will be back on the practice fields Friday to continue the 2014 Fall Camp. Check back here at Huskers.com for a practice report and video coverage following practice immediately.

Nebraska fans are reminded about their opportunity to be on hand at Memorial Stadium as the Huskers kick off the 2014 season. Fans can purchase the Cornhusker Kickoff Combo package for the Florida Atlantic game on Aug. 30 and the matchup with McNeese State on Sept. 6. The two-game package can be purchased at Huskers.com for $100. Fans can also purchase single-game tickets to all games other than the Miami and Minnesota games at Huskers.com.